Forget Anthony Pettis, Nate Diaz Will Wait for UFC Title Fight

UFC president Dana White claimed Wednesday that if Nate Diaz (Pictured) beat Jim Miller at “UFC on FOX 3,” he would be next in line to challenge for the lightweight throne. However, because champion Benson Henderson won’t defend his crown against Frankie Edgar until August at the earliest, it would sideline a victorious Diaz for far too long and he might have to face Anthony Pettis in the meantime to determine the division’s true top contender.

Following Saturday’s 2ndRound submission win, Diaz professed he was down for any and all scenarios.

“I’ll fight anyone. I’m just going to wait it out and see what happens,” Diaz expressed at the post-fight press conference.

Mr. 209’s indifferent statement left an opening for White to slam the door on Diaz’s immediate future.

“He’s going to wait for the title shot,” White flatly stated. “I said if he won, if he wanted to fight Pettis, he could fight Pettis. If he wanted to wait, he could wait. He’s going to wait.”

White’s stance was music to Diaz’s ears.

“I’m down for whatever, whatever they say, but that sounded great to me,” Diaz said with a smile.

Since dropping back down to the lightweight class in September, Diaz has emerged a different fighter. The 27-year-old is perfect in his past three fights, with his last two coming against a couple of the division’s top tier contenders.

Meanwhile, Henderson and Edgar are rumored to headline UFC 150 on August 11th. However, it’s possible their rematch could be pushed to a later date.